moral dilemma and moral autonomy in ethics

1. Harish kumar | 114113032
Ethics Assignment

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MORAL DILEMMA :
Definition:-
Dilemmas are
situations in which
moral reasons come
into conflict, or in
which the application
of
moral values are
problems, and one is
not clear of the
immediate choice or
solution of the
problems.
Moral reasons could be rights, duties, goods or obligations.
These situations do not mean that things
had gone wrong, but they only indicate the presence of moral
complexity. This makes the decision
making complex. For example, a person promised to meet a
friend and dine, but he has to help his
uncle who is involved in an accident — one has to fix the
priority.
There are some difficulties in arriving at the solution to the
problems, in dilemma. The three
complex situations leading to moral dilemmas are:

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1. The problem of vagueness: One is unable to distinguish
between good and bad (right or
wrong) principle. Good means an action that is obligatory.
For example, code of ethics
specifies that one should obey the laws and follow standards.
Refuse bribe or accept the gift,
and maintain confidentiality
2. The problem of conflicting reasons: One is unable to
choose between two good moral solutions.
One has to fix priority, through knowledge or value system.
3. The problem of disagreement: There may be two or more
solutions and none of them
mandatory. These solutions may be better or worse in some
respects but not in all aspects.
One has to interpret, apply different morally reasons, and
analyze and rank the decisions.
Select the best suitable, under the existing and the most
probable conditions.
Steps to Solve Dilemma :-
The logical steps in confronting moral dilemma are:
1. Identification of the moral factors and reasons. The
clarity to identify the relevant moral
values from among duties, rights, goods and obligations is

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obtained (conceptual inquiry).
The most useful resource in identifying dilemmas in
engineering is the professional codes of
ethics, as interpreted by the professional experience. Another
resource is talking with colleagues
who can focus or narrow down the choice of values.
2. Collection of all information, data, and facts (factual
inquiry) relevant to the situation.
3. Rank the moral options i.e., priority in application
through value system, and also as obligatory,
all right, acceptable, not acceptable, damaging, and most
damaging etc. For example, in
fulfilling responsibility, the codes give prime importance to
public safety and protection of
the environment, as compared to the individuals or the
employers (conceptual inquiry).
4. Generate alternate courses of action to resolve the
dilemma. Write down the main options
and sub-options as a matrix or decision tree to ensure that all
options are included.
5. Discuss with colleagues and obtain their perspectives,
priorities, and suggestions on various
alternatives.

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6. Decide upon a final course of action, based on priority
fixed or assumed. If there is no ideal
solution, we arrive at a partially satisfactory or ‘satisficing’
solution
MORAL AUTONOMY :
Moral autonomy is defined as, decisions and actions exercised
on the basis of moral concern for other
people and recognition of good moral reasons. Alternatively,
moral autonomy means ‘self determinant
or independent’. The autonomous people hold moral beliefs
and attitudes based on their critical reflection
rather than on passive adoption of the conventions of the
society or profession. Moral autonomy may
also be defined as a skill and habit of thinking rationally
about the ethical issues, on the basis of moral
concern.
Viewing engineering as social experimentation will promote
autonomous participation and retain
one’s professional identity. Periodical performance appraisals,

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tight-time schedules and fear of foreign
competition threatens this autonomy.
The attitude of the management should allow latitude in the
judgments of their engineers on moral issues.
If management views profitability is more important than
consistent quality and retention of the customers that
discourage the moral autonomy, engineers are
compelled to seek the support from their professional
societies and outside organizations for moral
support.
It appears that the blue-collar workers with the support of the
union can adopt better autonomy
than the employed professionals.
Only recently the legal support has been obtained by the
professional
societies in exhibiting moral autonomy by professionals in
this country as well as in the West.

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The engineering skills related to moral autonomy are listed as
follows
1. Proficiency in
recognizing moral
problems in engineering
and ability to distinguish
as well
as relate them to problems
in law, economics, and
religion,
2. Skill in
comprehending, clarifying,
and critically-assessing arguments on different aspects
of moral issues,
3. Ability to form consisent and comprehensive view points
based on facts.
4. Awareness of alternate responses to the issues and
creative solutions for practical difficulties,
5. Sensitivity to genuine difficulties and subtleties,
including willingness to undergo and tolerate
some uncertainty while making decisions,

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6. Using rational dialogue in resolving moral conflicts and
developing tolerance of different perspectives among morally
reasonable people, and
7. Maintaining moral integrity.
Autonomy which is the independence in making decisions
and actions, is different from authority.
Authority provides freedom for action, specified within limits,
depending on the situation.
Moralautonomy and respect for authority can coexist. They
are not against each other.
If the authority of the engineer and the moral autonomy of
the operator are in conflict, a consensus is obtained by the
two,upon discussion and mutual understanding their limits.